Systems and Methods to Facilitate Electronic Payments

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are provided to facilitate online transactions via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes a data storage facility to store an account identifier of a user and a phone number of the user and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility. The interchange includes a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of different controllers of mobile communications. The converters are configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats; and the converters are configured to communicate with the common format processor in a common format to facilitate electronic payment transactions using the account identifier.

The present application claims priority to Provisional U.S. PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/146,917, filed Jan. 23, 2009 and entitled“Systems and Methods to Facilitate Electronic Payments,” the disclosureof which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE TECHNOLOGY

At least some embodiments of the disclosure relate to mobilecommunications in general and, more particularly but not limited to,mobile communications to facilitate online transactions.

BACKGROUND

Short Message Service (SMS) is a communications protocol that allows theinterchange of short text messages between mobile telephone devices. SMSmessages are typically sent via a Short Message Service Center (SMSC) ofa mobile carrier, which uses a store-and-forward mechanism to deliverthe messages. When a mobile telephone is not reachable immediately forthe delivery of the message, the SMSC stores the message for laterretry.

SMS messages can be sent via gateways. Some gateways function asaggregators. An aggregator typically does not have the capacity todeliver the messages directly to the mobile phones. An aggregatortypically interfaces with and relies upon the SMSC of a mobile carrierto deliver SMS messages.

Some gateways function as providers that are capable of sending textmessages to mobile devices directly, without going through the SMSC ofother mobile operators.

Text messaging between mobile telephones can also be performed usingother protocols, such as SkyMail and Short Mail in Japan.

Some mobile carriers provide email gateway services to allow textmessages to be sent to mobile phones via email. For example, anon-subscriber of the mobile carrier may send a message to an emailaddress associated with a mobile phone of a subscriber of the mobilecarrier to have the message delivered to the mobile phone via textmessaging.

Emails can also be sent to mobile telephone devices via standard mailprotocols, such as Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) over InternetProtocol Suite (commonly TCP/IP, named from two of the protocols: theTransmission Control Protocol (TCP) and the Internet Protocol (IP)).

Short messages may be used to provide premium services to mobile phones,such as news alerts, ring tones, etc. The premium content providers maysend the messages to the SMSC of the mobile operator using a TCP/IPprotocol, such as Short Message Peer-to-peer Protocol (SMPP) orHypertext Transfer Protocol, for delivery to a mobile phone; and themobile phone is billed by the mobile operator for the cost of receivingthe premium content.

Premium services may also be delivered via text messages initiated fromthe mobile phone. For example, a televoting service provider may obtaina short code to receive text messages from mobile phones; and when theuser sends a text message to the short code, the mobile carrier routesthe message to the televoting service provider and charges the user afee, a portion of which is collected for the televoting serviceprovider.

SUMMARY OF THE DESCRIPTION

Systems and methods are provided to facilitate online transactions viamobile communications. Some embodiments are summarized in this section.

In one aspect, a system includes a data storage facility to store anaccount identifier of a user and a phone number of the user and aninterchange coupled with the data storage facility. The interchangeincludes a common format processor and a plurality of converters tointerface with a plurality of different controllers of mobilecommunications. The converters are configured to communicate with thecontrollers in different formats; and the converters are configured tocommunicate with the common format processor in a common format tofacilitate electronic payment transactions using the account identifier.

In one embodiment, the common format processor is configured to instructa first controller of the controllers, via a first converter of theconverters, to transmit a message to a telephone at the telephone numberof the user to prompt the user to confirm the request for the paymentand to receive a confirmation of the request from the telephone. Thecommon format processor is further configured to communicate with aserver of a financial institution to charge the user according to theaccount identifier to fulfill the request for the payment.

The disclosure includes methods and apparatuses which perform thesemethods, including data processing systems which perform these methods,and computer readable media containing instructions which when executedon data processing systems cause the systems to perform these methods.

Other features will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and fromthe detailed description which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation inthe figures of the accompanying drawings in which like referencesindicate similar elements.

FIG. 1 shows a system to facilitate online transactions according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 2 shows an interchange to route messages according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 3 shows a message processor according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows a method to facilitate an online transaction using aninterchange according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a user interface to associate an account with atelephone number according to one embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates another user interface to associate an account with atelephone number according to one embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates a user interface to initiate a payment transactionaccording to one embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates a user interface to initiate a payment requestaccording to one embodiment.

FIG. 9 illustrates a user interface to confirm a payment requestaccording to one embodiment.

FIG. 10 illustrates a user interface to confirm the completion of apayment transaction according to one embodiment.

FIG. 11 illustrates a way to redirect a payment confirmation accordingto one embodiment.

FIG. 12 illustrates a user interface to receive payment optionsaccording to one embodiment.

FIG. 13 shows a method to process an online payment according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 14 shows another method to facilitate a payment transactionaccording to one embodiment.

FIG. 15 shows a data processing system, which can be used in variousembodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description and drawings are illustrative and are not tobe construed as limiting. Numerous specific details are described toprovide a thorough understanding. However, in certain instances, wellknown or conventional details are not described in order to avoidobscuring the description. References to one or an embodiment in thepresent disclosure are not necessarily references to the sameembodiment; and, such references mean at least one.

Reference in this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment”means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic describedin connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodimentof the disclosure. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” invarious places in the specification are not necessarily all referring tothe same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodimentsmutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features aredescribed which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others.Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirementsfor some embodiments but not other embodiments.

In one embodiment, an interchange is used to interface with a pluralityof different controllers of mobile communications, such as SMS messages.The interchange can be used to associate account information with phonenumbers to facilitate electronic payments via mobile devices, such ascellular phones. The interchange is configured to communicate with themobile phones through the different controllers to provide security andconvenience for online transactions.

FIG. 1 shows a system to facilitate online transactions according to oneembodiment. In FIG. 1, an interchange (101) is provided to interfacewith a plurality of different controllers (115) for communications withthe mobile phones (117) over the wireless telecommunications network(105).

In FIG. 1, a data storage facility (107) stores user account information(121) and the corresponding phone numbers (123) of the mobile phones(117). The interchange (101) is coupled with the data storage facility(107) to communicate with the mobile phones (117) at the correspondingphone numbers (123) to confirm operations that are performed using theaccount information (121). Since the account information (121) issecured by the interchange (101), the account information (121) can beused to pay for products and services offered by the servers (113) ofvarious merchants, without being revealed to the merchants.

In one embodiment, the server (113) offers products and/or servicesadapted for a virtual world environment, such as an online gameenvironment, a virtual reality environment, etc. The products may bevirtual goods, which can be delivered via the transmission of data orinformation (without having to physically deliver an object to theuser). For example, the virtual goods may be a song, a piece of music, avideo clip, an article, a computer program, a decorative item for anavatar, a piece of virtual land in a virtual world, a virtual object ina virtual reality world, etc. For example, an online game environmenthosted on a server (113) may sell services and products via points orvirtual currency, which may be consumed by the user while engaging in agame session. For example, a virtual reality world hosted on a server(113) may have a virtual currency, which may be used by the residents ofthe virtual reality world to conduct virtual commerce within the virtualreality world (e.g., buy virtual lands, virtual stocks, virtual objects,services provided in the virtual reality world, etc). In otherembodiments, the server (113) may also offer physical goods, such asbooks, compact discs, photo prints, postcards, etc.

In FIG. 1, the interchange (101) may communicate with differentcontrollers (115) of mobile communications via different networks (e.g.,105 and 103) and/or protocols. The interchange (101) processes therequests in a common format and uses a set of converters forcommunications with the different controllers (115) respectively.

For example, the controllers (115) may be different aggregators,providers and/or SMSCs of different mobile carriers. Based on the phonenumbers (123), the interchange (101) interfaces with the correspondingcontrollers (115) to communicate with the mobile phones (117) via textmessaging to confirm the operations related to the corresponding accountinformation (121), such as bank accounts, credit card numbers, chargecard numbers, etc.

In FIG. 1, the user terminals (111) may use a unified interface to sendrequests to the interchange (101). For example, a web site of theinterchange (101) may be used to receive the account information (121)from the web browsers running in the user terminals (111). The userterminals (111) are typically different from the mobile phones (117).However, in some embodiments, users may use the mobile phone (117) toaccess the web and submit the account information (121). Alternatively,the users may use the mobile phone (117) to submit the accountinformation (121) to the interchange (101) via text messaging, email,instant messaging, etc.

The use of the mobile phones (117) in the confirmation of activitiesthat involve the account information (121) increases the security of thetransaction, since the mobile phones (117) are typically secured in thepossession of the users.

Further, in one embodiment, the interchange (101) may use the phonebills of the mobile phones (117) to pay for purchases, in order to usethe account information (121) to pay for the phone bills, and/or todeposit funds into the accounts identified by the account information(121) by charging on the phone bills of the corresponding mobile phones(117). In some embodiments, the accounts identified by the accountinformation (121) are hosted on the data storage facility (107). Inother embodiments, the accounts are hosted on the account servers (125)of financial institutions, such as banks, credit unions, credit cardcompanies, etc.

In one embodiment, once the account information (121) is associated withthe mobile phones (117) via their phone numbers (123) stored in the datastorage facility (107), the users may use the user terminals (111) toaccess online servers (113) of various merchants or service providers tomake purchases. From the user terminals (111), the users can use theaccounts identified by the account information (121) to make the paymentfor the purchases, without revealing their account information (121) tothe operators of the servers (113).

In one embodiment, the mobile phones (117) are used by the correspondingusers to make payments and/or manage funds, such as for making purchasesin various websites hosted on the servers (113) of merchants and serviceproviders and/or for transferring funds to or from an account identifiedby the account information (121), such as phone bills of land-linetelephone services, credit card accounts, debit card accounts, bankaccounts, etc., or an account hosted on the data storage facility (107)or telecommunication accounts of the mobile phones (117) withtelecommunication carriers. The mobile phones (117) are used to confirmand/or approve the transactions associated with the account identifiedby the account information (121) (or other accounts). The interchange(101) interfaces the mobile phones (117) and the servers (113) toconfirm and/or approve transactions and to operate on the accountidentified by the account information (121) (and/or other accountsassociated with the phone number (123)).

For example, the user terminal (111) may provide the phone numbers (123)to the servers (113) to allow the servers (113) to charge the accountidentified by the account information (121) associated with the phonenumber (123). The interchange (101) sends a message to the mobile phone(117) via the phone number (123) to confirm the payment request. Oncethe payment is confirmed or approved via the corresponding mobile phone(117), the interchange (101) charges the account identified by theaccount information (121) (e.g., by communicating with the accountserver (125) on which the corresponding accounts are hosted) and paysthe server (113) on behalf of the user, using the funds obtained fromthe corresponding account identified by the account information (121).

In one embodiment, the user terminal (111) may not even provide thephone number (123) to the server (113) to process the payment. Theserver (113) may redirect a payment request to the interchange (101),which then prompts the user terminal (111) to provide the phone number(123) to the web site of the interchange (101) to continue the paymentprocess.

For example, the server (113) may redirect the payment request to theweb site of the interchange (101) with a reference indicating thepurchase made via the user terminal (111). The interchange (101) can usethe reference to subsequently complete the payment with the server (113)for the purchase, after receiving the phone number (123) directly fromthe user terminal (111) to confirm the payment via the mobile phone(117).

In some embodiments, instead of directly providing the phone number(123) to identify the account information (121), the user may provideother information to identify the phone number (123), such as an accountidentifier of the user assigned to the user for obtaining the servicesof the interchange (101).

In one embodiment, the account information (121) is pre-associated withthe phone number (123) prior to the payment request. The accountinformation (121) may be submitted to the interchange (101) via the userterminal (111) or the mobile phone (117) via a secure connection.

Alternatively, the user may supply the account information (121) to theinterchange (101) at the time the payment request is submitted from theuser terminal (111) to the interchange (101). Alternatively, the usermay supply the account information (121) to the interchange (101) at thetime the user responds to the confirmation message for the paymentrequest.

In some embodiments, the user may supply the account information (121)after a transaction using funds collected via the telecommunicationcarrier of the mobile phone (117) at the phone number (123). Forexample, after the transaction, the interchange (101) may send aninvitation message, such as a text message to the mobile phone (117) atthe phone number (123), to the user to invite the user to register withthe interchange (101) and provide the account information (121). Theuser may register with the interchange (101) via the mobile phone (117)(e.g., by a replying text message), or via a web page of the interchange(101) (e.g., using a link and/or a unique code provided in theinvitation message).

After the user registers with the interchange (101) (e.g., via themobile phone (117) and by providing the account information (121)), theuser may create a customized personal identification number (PIN) orreceive a PIN for enhanced security. Using the PIN, the user may use theaccount information (121) to complete an online transaction withouthaving to confirm and/or approve a transaction using the mobile phone(117). In some embodiments, the PIN may be used to reduce unwantedmessages to the mobile phone (117). For example, once the phone number(123) and the account information (121) are associated with a PIN, theinterchange (101) may require the user of the user terminal (111) toprovide the correct PIN to initiate the payment process. Thus, a spammerhaving only the phone number (123) (or a different user mistakenly usingthe phone number (123)) may not successfully use the user terminal (111)to request the interchange (101) to send confirmation messages to themobile phone (117) protected by the PIN. In some embodiments, theinterchange (101) may offer further incentives to the user forregistering with the interchange (101), such as reduced fees, discounts,coupons, free products and services, etc.

In one embodiment, once the account information (121) is associated withthe phone number (123) in the data storage facility (107), the user doesnot have to resubmit the account information (121) in subsequent paymentrequests.

By delegating the payment task to the interchange (101) and securing theaccount information (121) in the data storage facility (107), the systemas shown in FIG. 1 can increase the security of using the accountinformation (121) in an online environment.

In some embodiments, the interchange (101) can also fulfill the paymentrequests using the funds collected via the phone bill of the phonenumbers (123). The interchange (101) can collect the funds via sendingpremium messages to the mobile phones (117) at the phone numbers (123),after receiving confirmation from the mobile phone (117).

For example, after the confirmation or approval message is received fromthe mobile phone (117), the interchange (101) performs operations tocollect funds via the phone bill of the phone number (123). Theinterchange (101) may calculate the required premium messages to bill tothe mobile phone (117). For example, mobile terminated premium SMSmessages may have a predetermined set of prices for premium messages.The interchange (101) determines a combination of the premium messagesthat has a price closest to the amount required by the transaction, andsends this combination of premium messages to the mobile phone (117).For example, mobile originated premium SMS messages may also have apredetermined set of prices for premium messages. The interchange (101)can calculate the set of messages required for the transaction andtransmit a text message to the mobile phone (117) of the user toinstruct the user to send the required number of premium messages toprovide the funds.

FIG. 2 shows an interchange to route messages according to oneembodiment. In FIG. 2, the interchange (101) includes a unified datainterface (135) for interaction with the servers (113). The servers(113) may redirect the payment requests to the interchange (101) toallow the interchange (101) to subsequently communicate with the user toprocess the payment request, including obtaining payment options andidentifying user accounts (123), before returning to communicating withthe server (113). Alternatively, the servers (113) may collect accountrelated information (e.g., the phone number of the user) to requestpayment from the interchange (101).

In FIG. 2, the interchange (101) includes a common format processor(133), which processes various payment options in a common format. Inone embodiment, the common format processor (133) can handle thepayments via mobile terminated text message, mobile originated textmessage, operator bill, credit card, stored value account, and otheronline payment options. The common format processor (133) determines theactual amount that is to be billed to the user, based on the paymentoptions (e.g., mobile terminated premium SMS, mobile originated premiumSMS, operator billing, credit cards, etc.), and selects a converter(131) to communicate with a corresponding controller (115).

Different converters (131) are configured to communicate withcorresponding controllers (115) in different languages and protocols.The converters (131) perform the translation between the common formatused by the common format processor (133) and the corresponding formatsused by the controllers (115).

The use of the common format processor (133) simplifies the structure ofthe interchange (101) and reduces the development effort required forthe interchange (101) to interface with the increasing number ofdifferent controllers, such as SMSC, mobile providers, aggregators,gateways, etc.

FIG. 3 shows a message processor according to one embodiment. In FIG. 3,the common format processor (133) includes a billing engine (157) thatcalculates the amount to be billed to the user, by adding or subtractingtransaction costs for different billing methods, such as mobileterminated text message, mobile originated text message, operatorbilling, credit card, stored value account, and other online paymentoptions.

In one premium message billing method, the interchange (101) sendsmobile terminated premium SMS messages to the mobile phone (117) to billthe user, or requests the mobile phone (117) to send mobile originatedpremium SMS messages to a short code representing the interchange (101).

In one operator billing method, the interchange (101) directly sends amessage to the mobile carrier of the mobile phone (117) to bill theamount on the phone bill of the mobile phone (117), without having tosend a premium message to the mobile phone (117).

The common format processor (133) includes a decision engine (151) whichdecides how to generate a set of one or more messages to the mobilephone (117) based on a set of rules (141), regulations (143), limits(145), records (147) and restrictions (149).

For example, different countries have different regulations (143)governing the mobile communications with the mobile phones (117). Forexample, different mobile carriers have different rules (141) regardingpremium messages. For example, past transaction records (147) can beused to monitor the transactions to discover suspected fraudulentactivities. For example, parental limits (145) and merchant restrictions(149) can be imposed.

Based on results of the decision engine (151), the mobile messagegenerator (153) generates one or more messages to communicate with themobile phone (117) about the transaction (e.g., a request to collectfunds via the phone bill of the user for a payment request, or fordeposit into an account identified by the account information (121)).The converter (131) then interfaces with the corresponding controller(115) to transmit the messages to the mobile phones (117).

FIG. 4 shows a method to facilitate an online transaction using aninterchange according to one embodiment. In FIG. 4, the user terminal(111) provides (171) account information (121) to the interchange (101)for association with the phone number (123). For example, the user mayuse a device running a web browser as the user terminal (111) to submitthe account information (121) via a secure web connection. The userterminal (111) is typically different from the mobile phone (117).However, in some embodiments, the mobile phone (117) may also be used asthe user terminal (111) to submit the account information (121) (e.g.,via a wireless application protocol (WAP) application, or via a messagesent via short message service (SMS) or multimedia message service(MMS), or via an email message or an instant message).

After the user provides the account information (121) to the interchange(101) for storage in the data storage facility (107), the user can send(177) a charge request to the server (113) of a merchant from the userterminal (111). The server (113) of the merchant can send or redirect(179) the charge request to the interchange (101). In response to thecharge request, the interchange (101) sends (173) a confirmation messageto the mobile phone (117). If the user sends (173) an approval, or anappropriate reply, to the confirmation message from the mobile phone(117), the interchange (101) communicates with the account server (125)to charge an account of the user identified by the account information(121), without revealing the account information (121) to the server(113). The interchange (101) pays the merchant on behalf of the userusing the funds collected via charging the account of the user. Forexample, the interchange (101) may use its own bank account to pay themerchant operating the server (113). Thus, the financial information ofthe user is not revealed to the merchant.

Upon the completion of the payment process, the interchange (101) cannotify the user via the mobile phone (117) and/or the user terminal(111).

In some embodiments, the server (113) of the merchant redirects thecharge request to allow the user terminal (111) to communicate with theinterchange (101) to continue the payment process; and the user terminal(111) may provide (171) the account information (121) directly to theinterchange (101) after the charge request is redirected.

In alternative embodiments, the user may provide the account information(121) from the mobile phone (117) together with the approval of thecharge request.

In one embodiment, the interchange (101) communicates with the mobilephone (117) for the confirmation of the charge request via SMS messages.Alternatively, the confirmation and approval messages can be sent (173)via emails, instant messages, voice message, live calls from operators,etc.

In some embodiments, the user of the mobile phone (117) may choose tofulfill the charge request via the phone bill, instead of charging theaccount identified by the account information (121). Thus, after theconfirmation, the interchange (101) sends the premium messages to themobile phone (117) to collect funds via the phone bill of the mobilephone (117). In other embodiments, the interchange (101) may send aninstruction with the confirmation message to the mobile phone (117) toinstruct the user to send mobile originated premium messages to theinterchange (101) to collect the funds via the phone bill of the mobilephone (117).

FIG. 5 illustrates a user interface to associate an account with atelephone number according to one embodiment. In FIG. 5, the userinterface (180) includes a text field (183) that allows the user tospecify the phone number (123) with which the account information (121)provided in the text field (181) is to be associated.

In FIG. 5, the user interface (180) further includes an option list,which allows the user to select various types of accounts, such ascredit card accounts, bank accounts, charge card accounts, etc. In theexample illustrated in FIG. 5, the checkbox (185) is selected to specifya credit card account.

In some embodiments, the user interface (180) may further present a textfield (not shown in FIG. 5) to allow the user to specify an alias forthe account information (121) supplied in the text input field (181).For enhanced security, the alias can be used for subsequentcommunications with the user without revealing the account information(121).

In FIG. 5, the user interface (180) may be presented via a web browser(or a custom application) to submit account information (121) in thetext input field (181) from a user terminal (111) to the interchange(101). Alternatively, the account number can be submitted from themobile phone (117) via a message sent via SMS, WAP, voice mail, or viaan interactive voice response (IVR) system.

FIG. 6 illustrates another user interface to associate an account with atelephone number according to one embodiment. In FIG. 6, the userinterface (190) is presented on the mobile phone (117) of the user. Theuser interface (190) presents a message (191) from the interchange (101)to the mobile phone (117) at the phone number (123). The message (191)prompts the user to submit the account information (121) by providing areply message (193). The user may select the “send” button (195) toprovide the account information (121) for association with the phonenumber (123) or select the “cancel” button (197) to ignore the prompt.

In one embodiment, the messages (191 and 193) are transmitted to themobile phone (117) via a short message service (SMS). Alternatively, themessages can be transmitted to the mobile phone (117) via otherprotocols, such as multimedia message service (MMS), email, instantmessaging, WAP, voice mail, voice messages via an interactive voiceresponse (IVR) system, etc.

FIG. 7 illustrates a user interface to initiate a payment transactionaccording to one embodiment. In FIG. 7, the user interface (201)provides an option (205) to request the interchange (101) to process thepayment for the amount (203) required to make a purchase from the server(113) of a merchant.

In one embodiment, after the user selects the payment option (205), theserver (113) directs the request to the web server of the interchange(101), with a set of parameters to indicate the amount (203), theidentity of the merchant, a reference to the purchase, etc. Thus, theuser does not have to provide any personal information to the server(113) of the merchant to complete the payment process.

Alternatively, the user may provide the phone number to the merchant toprocess the payment. Thus, the user does not have to visit the web siteof the interchange (101) to complete the payment.

In one embodiment, the server (113) presents the payment option (205)via an online shopping cart system or a third party checkout system.Alternatively or in combination, the server (113) presents the paymentoption (205) via a web widget. For example, a web widget may include aprogram code that is portable and executable within a web page withoutrequiring additional compilation. The web widget allows the user toselect the option (205) to pay for the product and/or service withoutleaving the web page or refreshing the web page. In one embodiment, theinterchange (101) provides the web widget to facilitate the paymentprocessing.

FIG. 8 illustrates a user interface to initiate a payment requestaccording to one embodiment, after the payment request is redirected tothe web site of the interchange (101). In FIG. 8, the user interface(201) includes the identity of the merchant and the amount (203) of therequested payment. The user interface (201) includes a text field (183)to allow the user to provide the phone number (123) to identify theaccount information (121) via its association with the phone number(123) in the data storage facility (107).

Further, user authentication may be used to reduce false messages to thephone number (123). For example, the user interface (201) may request aPIN for enhanced security. For example, the user may be required toregister with the interchange (101) prior to using the services of theinterchange (101); and after registering with the interchange (101), theuser is provided with the PIN or can created a customized PIN to accessthe functionality provided by the user interface (201).

Alternatively, the user interface (201) may request an identifierassociated with the phone number (123) to initiate the paymenttransaction. In some embodiments, the user interface (201) requires theuser to provide no information other than the phone number (123) in thetext field (183) to initiate the transaction.

In FIG. 8, the user interface (201) allows the user to select one optionfrom a plurality of payment options, including paying via the phonebill, and paying via one or more of the accounts identified by theaccount information (121) associated with the phone number (123) in thedata storage facility (107).

In some embodiments, the user interface (201) may present the paymentoptions after authenticating the user (e.g., via a personalidentification number or password) for enhanced security.

In some embodiments, the user interface (201) identifies the differentaccounts represented by the account information (121) by showing aliasesof the accounts. The aliases may be previously specified by the user, orbe dynamically generated by the interchange (101) based on the types ofthe accounts and/or portions of the account information (121) (e.g., thefirst or last few digits of the account number, etc.)

In one embodiment, once the user submits the payment request via theuser interface (201), the interchange (101) transmits a confirmationmessage to the mobile phone (117) according to the phone number (123)provided in the text field (183). In one embodiment, the interchange(101) transmits the confirmation to the mobile phone (117) after theuser is authenticated via the user interface (201) to reduce thepossibility of unauthorized/unwelcome messages to the mobile phone(117), which may occur when the user intentionally or unintentionallyprovides an unrelated phone number in the entry box (183).

FIG. 9 illustrates a user interface to confirm a payment requestaccording to one embodiment. In FIG. 9, the confirmation message (217)includes the amount (203) of the requested payment and the identity ofthe payee (e.g., a merchant operating the server (113)).

In one embodiment, the confirmation message (217) includes theinstruction to reply with a code, such as a code (e.g., “pay”) providedin the confirmation message (217) as illustrated in FIG. 9.

The presence of the code in the reply message is an indication of theuser approving the request; and the requirement for such a code in thereply eliminates false confirmations (e.g., generated via accidentalreplies or automated replies).

Alternatively or in combination, the requested code may include a PINassociated with the account, and/or a code (not shown) randomlygenerated and presented in the user interface used to initiate thepayment transaction (e.g., user interface (201)).

In some embodiments, the code requested in the text message (217) may bea personal identification number (PIN) associated with the phone number(123). The text message (217) does not include the code; and theknowledge of the code is an indication of the identity of the user.Thus, the use of such a code increases the security of the transaction.

In a further embodiment, the code requested in the text message (217)includes a code that is provided in response to the payment request(e.g., via the user interface (201), not shown in FIG. 8). The code maybe generated randomly at the time the request is received via the userinterface (201), or when the user interface (201) is presented to theuser. The code provided to the user interface (201) can be requested inthe reply received from the user interface (190) to indicate that theuser who is in possession of the mobile phone (117) has actual knowledgeabout the payment request submitted via the user interface (201).

After the correct reply is received, the interchange (101) communicateswith the account server (125) to electronically charge the user usingthe account information (121) and pays the payee using the fundscollected via communicating with the account server (125). Theinterchange (101) then notifies the user when the payment transaction iscomplete.

For example, the interchange (101) may notify the user via a textmessage to the mobile phone (117), as illustrated in FIG. 10. FIG. 10illustrates a user interface to confirm the completion of a paymenttransaction according to one embodiment. No reply to the message thatconfirms the completion of the payment transaction is necessary. Oncethe payment transaction is complete, the user would have access to theproduct purchased via the payment transaction.

In one embodiment, the interchange (101) stores an address of the userassociated with the phone number (123). After the completion of thepayment transaction, the interchange (101) provides the address to theserver (113) of the merchant for the delivery of the purchased product.In some embodiments, the user may provide multiple addresses associatedwith the phone number (123) and may select one as a delivery address inthe confirmation/approve message to the interchange (101).Alternatively, the interchange (101) may receive an address for productdelivery from the mobile phone (117) together with theconfirmation/approve message and then forward the address to the server(113) of the merchant. Thus, the shipping address of the transaction isverified to be associated with the mobile phone (117). In alternativeembodiments, the user may directly provide the shipping address in thewebsite hosted on the server (113) of the merchant.

In other embodiments, the user is provided with the options to pay viathe mobile phone bill associated with the phone number (123). Theinterchange (101) may dynamically calculate a set of premium messages,based on a set of limited number of predetermined prices for premiummessages, to match the purchase price. The interchange (101) sends theset of premium messages to the mobile phone (117) at the phone number(123) to collect the funds via the telecommunication carriers to pay forthe purchases. Thus, the purchase prices are not limited to the set ofpredetermined prices for premium messages. In some embodiments, theinterchange (101) may send the set of premium messages in a period oftime (e.g., a week, a month, a number of mouths, etc.) to spread thepayments over the period of time (e.g., to overcome budget limits and/orlimits imposed by regulations).

FIG. 11 illustrates a way to redirect a payment confirmation accordingto one embodiment. For example, after the user submits the paymentrequest to the interchange (101) via the user interface (201) shown inFIG. 8, the interchange (101) may present the user interface (201)illustrated in FIG. 11 to the user. The user interface (201) indicatesthat the request is being processed; and the user interface (201) isperiodically updated to show progress. Once the payment transaction iscompleted, the user interface (201) provides a confirmation message andmay automatically redirect the user back to the website of the payee(e.g., to access the purchased products or services).

In one embodiment, the user is required to provide the approval inresponse to the confirmation message (217), as illustrated in FIG. 9,within a predetermined period of time. If the user fails to provide theapproval from the mobile phone (117) within the predetermined period oftime, the payment request may be rejected; and the user interface (201)may present a message indicating the failure and then redirect the userback to the website of the payee.

In some embodiments, instead of redirecting the user back to the websiteof the payee after the expiration of a predetermined period of time(e.g., after the failure of the payment process, or after the completionof the payment), the user interface (201) may provide a link to thewebsite of the payee to allow the user to manually select the link to goback to the website of the payee to continue the process at the websiteof the payee.

FIG. 12 illustrates a user interface to receive payment optionsaccording to one embodiment. In FIG. 12, the interchange (101) sends amessage (217) to the mobile phone (117) to provide a number of optionsto the user. The message (217) identifies the amount (203) of therequested payment and the identity of the payee (e.g., a merchantoperating the server (113)) and asks the user to approve the paymentrequest via a reply that contains a selected payment option.

In FIG. 12, the user may reply with the code “1” to approve the paymentrequest and to pay via the phone bill of the mobile phone (117).Alternatively, the user may reply with the credit card information tocharge the payment to a credit card, as illustrated in FIG. 12.

In one embodiment, if the user provides credit card account informationin the approval message, the credit card account information is storedand associated with the phone number (123) in the data storage facility(107). Thus, in subsequent approval messages, the user does not have tosupply the same information again.

For example, the data storage facility (107) may store accountinformation for each of a plurality of account types (e.g., Visa,MasterCard, checking, savings, etc.) Thus, each of the accounts can beidentified to the user via the account type in the confirmation message,without revealing the details of the account information.

For example, the interchange (101) may combine the name of the financialinstitutions and the type of accounts to generate aliases for theaccount information.

In some embodiment, the user may define the aliases for the accountinformation by supplying the aliases with the account information (121)for association with the phone number (123).

FIG. 13 shows a method to process an online payment according to oneembodiment. In FIG. 13, the interchange (101) receives (301) an accountidentifier (e.g., 121) from a user and associates (303) the accountidentifier with a phone number (123) of the user in the data storagefacility (107). Over the Internet the interchange (101) subsequentlyreceives (305) a request for payment to be paid to a payee via themobile phone (117) identified by the phone number (123). In response tothe request, the interchange (101) transmits (307) a message (217) tothe mobile phone (117) to confirm the payment.

After receiving (309) a confirmation or approval from the mobile phone(117) for the payment, the interchange (101) electronically charges(311) the user an amount using the account identifier (e.g., viacommunicating with the account server (125) using the accountidentifier). The interchange (101) then transfers (313) the amount to apayee to fulfill the payment.

FIG. 14 shows another method to facilitate a payment transactionaccording to one embodiment. In FIG. 14, the interchange (101) receives(331) a request to pay an amount to a payee via a mobile phone (117).The interchange (101) transmits (333) a message (217) to the mobilephone (117) to confirm the request via the converter (131) correspondingto the controller (115) of the mobile phone (117).

After the interchange (101) receives (335) a confirmation with anaccount identifier (e.g., 121) from the mobile phone (117) for therequest, the interchange (101) electronically communicates (337) with afinancial institution to charge the user the specified amount using theaccount identifier. The interchange (101) pays (339) the payee accordingto the amount, optionally charges (341) the user a first fee to pay thepayee, and optionally charges (343) the payee a second fee forprocessing the payment.

In one embodiment, the users are given an incentive to provide theaccount information (121) for electronic payments via the accountservers (125). For example, the interchange (101) may charge a lower feefor fulfilling payment requests via the account server (125) than forfulfilling payments requests via the phone bill. For example, theinterchange (101) may offer rebates, discounts, etc. to the users whoprovide the account information (121). In some embodiments, theinterchange (101) can complete a payment process via the account server(125) with less restrictions than via the phone bill.

In one embodiment, the merchant may specify the second fee. Differentmerchants may offer different percentages of the purchase prices as thesecond fee; and the interchange (101) may calculate the first fee basedon the second fee offered by the merchant, by deducting the second feefrom the total fees to be charged (e.g., fees charged by thetelecommunication carrier for collecting the funds via the mobile phonebill associated with the telephone number and/or the fees charged by theinterchange (101) for processing the payments). Since the first fee ischarged to the customer (e.g., the purchaser of products and services),the cost to the customer can vary based on the selection of themerchant. For the same purchase prices, the first fee (and thus the costto the customer) may be different for purchases made via differentmerchants, because the merchants may offer different percentage of thepurchase price as the second fee. In some embodiments, the first andsecond fees include both fees charged by the telecommunication carrierfor collecting the funds via the mobile phone bill/account associatedwith the phone number (123) and the fees charged by the interchange(101) for processing the payments. In some embodiments, the first feeincludes the fees charged by the telecommunication carrier but no feescharged by the interchange (101). In some embodiments, the second feeincludes the fees charged by the telecommunication carrier but no feescharged by the interchange (101). In some embodiments, the first feeand/or the second fee do not include the fees charged by thetelecommunication carrier. In some embodiments, the first fee is notcharged; and in other embodiments, the second fee is not charged.

FIG. 15 shows a data processing system, which can be used in variousembodiments. While FIG. 15 illustrates various components of a computersystem, it is not intended to represent any particular architecture ormanner of interconnecting the components. Some embodiments may use othersystems that have fewer or more components than those shown in FIG. 15.

In one embodiment, each of the interchange (101), the data storagefacility (107), the controllers (115), the mobile phones (117), the userterminals (111), the account server (125) and the servers (113) can beimplemented as a data processing system, with fewer or more components,as illustrated in FIG. 15.

In FIG. 15, the data processing system (401) includes an inter-connect(402) (e.g., bus and system core logic), which interconnects amicroprocessor(s) (403) and memory (408). The microprocessor (403) iscoupled to cache memory (404) in the example of FIG. 15.

The inter-connect (402) interconnects the microprocessor(s) (403) andthe memory (408) together and also interconnects them to a displaycontroller, display device (407), and to peripheral devices such asinput/output (I/O) devices (405) through an input/output controller(s)(406).

Typical I/O devices include mice, keyboards, modems, network interfaces,printers, scanners, video cameras and other devices which are well knownin the art. In some embodiments, when the data processing system is aserver system, some of the I/O devices, such as printer, scanner, mice,and/or keyboards, are optional.

The inter-connect (402) may include one or more buses connected to oneanother through various bridges, controllers and/or adapters. In oneembodiment, the I/O controller (406) includes a USB (Universal SerialBus) adapter for controlling USB peripherals, and/or an IEEE-1394 busadapter for controlling IEEE-1394 peripherals.

The memory (408) may include ROM (Read Only Memory), volatile RAM(Random Access Memory), and non-volatile memory, such as hard drive,flash memory, etc.

Volatile RAM is typically implemented as dynamic RAM (DRAM) whichrequires power continually in order to refresh or maintain the data inthe memory. Non-volatile memory is typically a magnetic hard drive, amagnetic optical drive, an optical drive (e.g., a DVD RAM), or othertype of memory system which maintains data even after power is removedfrom the system. The non-volatile memory may also be a random accessmemory.

The non-volatile memory can be a local device coupled directly to therest of the components in the data processing system. A non-volatilememory that is remote from the system, such as a network storage devicecoupled to the data processing system through a network interface suchas a modem or Ethernet interface, can also be used.

In this description, various functions and operations may be describedas being performed by or caused by software code to simplifydescription. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that whatis meant by such expressions is that the functions result from executionof the code/instructions by a processor, such as a microprocessor.Alternatively, or in combination, the functions and operations can beimplemented using special purpose circuitry, with or without softwareinstructions, such as using Application-Specific Integrated Circuit(ASIC) or Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). Embodiments can beimplemented using hardwired circuitry without software instructions, orin combination with software instructions. Thus, the techniques arelimited neither to any specific combination of hardware circuitry andsoftware, nor to any particular source for the instructions executed bythe data processing system.

While some embodiments can be implemented in fully functioning computersand computer systems, various embodiments are capable of beingdistributed as a computing product in a variety of forms and are capableof being applied regardless of the particular type of machine orcomputer-readable media used to actually effect the distribution.

At least some aspects disclosed can be embodied, at least in part, insoftware. That is, the techniques may be carried out in a computersystem or other data processing system in response to its processor,such as a microprocessor, executing sequences of instructions containedin a memory, such as ROM, volatile RAM, non-volatile memory, cache or aremote storage device.

Routines executed to implement the embodiments may be implemented aspart of an operating system or a specific application, component,program, object, module or sequence of instructions referred to as“computer programs.” The computer programs typically include one or moreinstructions set at various times in various memory and storage devicesin a computer, and that, when read and executed by one or moreprocessors in a computer, cause the computer to perform operationsnecessary to execute elements involving the various aspects.

A machine readable medium can be used to store software and data whichwhen executed by a data processing system causes the system to performvarious methods. The executable software and data may be stored invarious places including for example ROM, volatile RAM, non-volatilememory and/or cache. Portions of this software and/or data may be storedin any one of these storage devices. Further, the data and instructionscan be obtained from centralized servers or peer to peer networks.Different portions of the data and instructions can be obtained fromdifferent centralized servers and/or peer to peer networks at differenttimes and in different communication sessions or in a same communicationsession. The data and instructions can be obtained in entirety prior tothe execution of the applications. Alternatively, portions of the dataand instructions can be obtained dynamically, just in time, when neededfor execution. Thus, it is not required that the data and instructionsbe on a machine readable medium in entirety at a particular instance oftime.

Examples of computer-readable media include but are not limited torecordable and non-recordable type media such as volatile andnon-volatile memory devices, read only memory (ROM), random accessmemory (RAM), flash memory devices, floppy and other removable disks,magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media (e.g., Compact DiskRead-Only Memory (CD ROMS), Digital Versatile Disks (DVDs), etc.), amongothers.

The computer-readable media may store the instructions. The instructionsmay also be embodied in digital and analog communication links forelectrical, optical, acoustical or other forms of propagated signals,such as carrier waves, infrared signals, digital signals, etc.

In general, a tangible machine readable medium includes any mechanismthat provides (i.e., stores and/or transmits) information in a formaccessible by a machine (e.g., a computer, network device, personaldigital assistant, manufacturing tool, any device with a set of one ormore processors, etc.).

In various embodiments, hardwired circuitry may be used in combinationwith software instructions to implement the techniques. Thus, thetechniques are neither limited to any specific combination of hardwarecircuitry and software nor to any particular source for the instructionsexecuted by the data processing system.

Although some of the drawings illustrate a number of operations in aparticular order, operations which are not order dependent may bereordered and other operations may be combined or broken out. While somereordering or other groupings are specifically mentioned, others will beapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art and so do not present anexhaustive list of alternatives. Moreover, it should be recognized thatthe stages could be implemented in hardware, firmware, software or anycombination thereof.

In the foregoing specification, the disclosure has been described withreference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will be evidentthat various modifications may be made thereto without departing fromthe broader spirit and scope as set forth in the following claims. Thespecification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in anillustrative sense rather than a restrictive sense.

1. A computer-implemented method, comprising: receiving an account identifier from a user; associating the account identifier with a telephone number of the user using a computer; receiving at the computer a request for a payment via the telephone number; in response to the request, transmitting a message to a telephone at the telephone number of the user to prompt the user to confirm the request for the payment; receiving a confirmation of the request from the telephone; and in response to the confirmation, communicating with a financial institution to charge the user according to the account identifier to fulfill the request for the payment.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the telephone comprises a mobile phone; and the message is transmitted to the mobile phone via short message service (SMS).
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the message includes one of: a voice message, a text message, an email message, and an instant message.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the account identifier includes at least one of: a credit card number, a bank account number, and a charge card number.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the message transmitted to the telephone at the telephone number of the user prompts the user to select one option from a plurality of payment options, including charging the user according to the account identifier and charging the user via a bill for the telephone number.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the account identifier is received with the confirmation of the request.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: presenting a payment option page to the user in response to a web visit from the user redirected from a web server of a payee, the payment option page including an entry to receive the telephone number to identify the user; and redirecting the user back to the web server of the payee upon completion of the payment.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising: presenting a plurality of payment options to the user in response to the user providing the telephone number in the payment option page, the plurality of payment options including charging the user according to the account identifier and charging the user via a bill for the telephone number.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the account identifier is received from the user via the payment option page.
 10. The method of claim 8, further comprising: authenticating the user prior to presenting an option of charging the user according to the account identifier.
 11. The method of claim 8, wherein the account identifier is identified in the payment options via an alias.
 12. The method of claim 1, further comprising: transferring an amount from an account of an operator of the computer to a payee to fulfill the request for the payment.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving of the request for the payment comprises receiving the request from a payee together with the telephone number to identify the user.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the request is received at the computer via an Application Programming Interface.
 15. The method of claim 1, further comprising: authenticating the user before transmitting the message to the telephone.
 16. The method of claim 5, further comprising: determining whether the confirmation includes a correct code, wherein the communicating with the financial institution is in response to the correct code in the confirmation.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the code comprises a personal identification number (PIN) associated with the telephone number.
 18. A computer-readable storage media storing instructions, the instructions causing a computer to perform a method, the method comprising: receiving an account identifier from a user; associating the account identifier with a telephone number of the user using a computer; receiving at the computer a request for a payment via the telephone number; in response to the request, transmitting a message to a telephone at the telephone number of the user to prompt the user to confirm the request for the payment; receiving a confirmation of the request from the telephone; and in response to the confirmation, communicating with a financial institution to charge the user according to the account identifier to fulfill the request for the payment.
 19. A system, comprising: a data storage facility to store and associate an account identifier of a user with a phone number of the user; and an interchange coupled with the data storage facility, the interchange including a common format processor and a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of controllers, the converters configured to communicate with the controllers in different formats, the converters to communicate with the common format processor in a common format, the common format processor to instruct a first controller of the controllers, via a first converter of the converters, to transmit a message to a telephone at the telephone number of the user to prompt the user to confirm the request for the payment and to receive a confirmation of the request from the telephone, the common format processor to communicate with a server of a financial institution to charge the user according to the account identifier to fulfill the request for the payment.
 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the common format processor further includes a mobile message generator. 